Doggy dentistry: when was your pooch’s last check-up?

With 2010 now well under way, when was the last time your dog took a trip to the dentist? If you create a Lifebook for your dog or cat, you can set reminders like dentist and vet appointments and never miss another pet health appointment again.

Oral health is an extremely important issue for a dog’s overall wellbeing and if ignored can result in stinky breath, gum disease and various teeth problems.

President of the Australian Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) Dr Tony Caiafa says oral care is important to provide the best possible health and quality of life for your pet.

“Pets can have very similar problems to people such as gingivitis (swollen gums), mouth ulcers and broken teeth, all of which may make eating and playing quite painful,” says Dr Caiafa.

“Bacteria can also cause bad breath and this is often the first sign that may alert you to your pet’s oral problems. In addition, the bacteria which cause gum disease can spread to other parts of the body via the blood stream. This can lead to problems with their liver and kidneys and make them quite ill.”

The AVDS says there are three ‘D’s’ of pet oral health that should be maintained by pet owners:

– Dental check up for your pet

– Daily tooth brushing

– Dental friendly diet.

“Tooth brushing is an effective way of removing plaque and keeping gums healthy. It works for us. Adding flavoured pet toothpaste will make the experience more enjoyable for your pet,” Dr Caiafa said.

“Of course, prevention is better than cure. You can start looking after your pet’s teeth and gums from the first day they arrive home. Just follow the three ‘D’s of pet oral health and talk with your vet about looking after your pet’s teeth.”

One response to “Doggy dentistry: when was your pooch’s last check-up?”

Tooth pain can be a symptom of many different things. It can be caused by redness of the gums, a pustule ( an infection that develops in the tooth root or between the tooth and gum ), a cracked tooth, a dislodged filling, or the commonest culprit, a hole. However, sometimes a toothache is caused by something as straightforward as surrounded food between the teeth. The food particles can irritate the gums and the pain can radiate into the encompassing teeth.